It may be the dog days of summer, but the HDV camcorder market isn't taking a vacation. Canon has joined Sony and Sanyo to introduce a pair of next generation, high-definition camcorders.
Canon is targeting professionals and high-end consumers with the new XH A1 and XH G1 camcorders, both capable of recording in 1080 (1440 by 1080 pixels) and based on the HDV tape format. Each model, equipped with three 1.67 megapixel native 16:9 CCD imagers, can record in 60i, 30F or 24F modes.
Joseph Bogacz, director of product development for the video division at Canon, said the new cameras fill out an HDV product line that now includes the XH A1, XH G1 and the existing XL H1 at the top end. The new cameras are smaller than the H1, and designed to be handheld, as opposed to shoulder mounted. They do not have interchangeable lenses, like the H1, but offer a fixed, 20x optical zoom. (The lens is a different 20x lens than what is available for the H1.) Canon L-series fluorite crystal and low-dispersion glass are used in the elements of the XH A1 and XH G1, while a new external sensor provides "instant" auto focus.
Another difference, the optical image stabilization used with the new cameras is mechanically different from the H1 (they employ a lens-shift process instead of Vari-Angle Prism circuitry) and there are only two channels of audio (the H1 offers four).
Separate focus, zoom and iris rings on the lens barrel on the XH A1 and XH G1 allow for full manual control of key variables. Canon said multi-coating, applied to all surfaces, virtually eliminates ghosting, flare and chromatic aberrations. Focus and zoom points are stored as presets and easily returned to with accuracy and speed.
Each is equipped with a 2.8-inch foldout LCD screens and 269K-pixel electronic viewfinder, as well as a noise-reduction system, 23 image quality presets, and 22 display options for the viewfinder and 21 function modes to customize use. Dual XLR microphone inputs and built-in stereo mics are also provided.
The XH A1, priced at $3,999, is set for U.S. delivery by late October. The XH G1, at $6,999, is due a couple of weeks later. The only difference between the models is that the XH G1 comes with Canon's professional "jack pack," (standard with the H1) which includes an HD-SDI connector, time code I/O, and support for genlock.
"We basically have something for everybody now," Bogacz said, adding that the cameras now address three different markets: independent filmmaker/videographer (the XH A1), newsgathering (XH G1) and high-end feature work (XL H1). "But we don't like to pigeonhole them."
For more information, visit http://www.cusa.canon.com.